# Joanna Phippard — Short Fiction character guide

> Joanna Phippard in Short Fiction by Thomas Hardy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Joanna, the Joanna

**First appearance:** 0002-destiny-and-a-blue-cloak

## Snapshot

A proud, masterful woman who learns on her voyage to a new life that her husband already has a wife alive in England.

## Who they are

Joanna Phippard marries a man of wealth and foreign manner, only to hear his confession mid-voyage that a scandalous first wife still lives. Rather than break, she takes command of the wreckage, dictating the terms of their separation with a will that astonishes even him. Her decision to return to England as a widow sets in motion the deception that will shadow her future.

## In the story

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/xvii)

Not present in this chapter.

### [To Please His Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/to-please-his-wife)

The woman Shadrach marries; she is ambitious and pushes her husband to seek fortune at sea.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/i)

An ambitious and deliberative young woman who wins Shadrach away from Emily, though she feels conflicted and considers renouncing him.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/ii)

Shadrach's wife, who grows bitter and ambitious, pushing her husband to seek wealth at sea despite her earlier fears.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/iii)

Now a gaunt, grieving widow, she obsessively awaits the return of her husband and sons, living in Emily's house but refusing comfort.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/joanna_phippard
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters